Oahu Beachfront Residence

New ResidenceOahu, HI

A new home on a spectacular beach front site on Oahu was envisioned as the gathering spot for our clients’ large extended family. Central to the design is casual living, with rooms open to each other, the site, and the views; protection from the prevailing off-shore winds, yet maximization of natural ventilation for comfort; traditional Hawaiian roof forms; and durability and easy maintenance. Its numerous sustainable features led to the achievement of LEED Gold certification.

Bernal Heights Residence

RenovationSan Francisco, CA

This Edwardian cottage from 1910 was completely transformed into a warm and playful family refuge. The main living floor features an open plan that flows out through the rear glass door system onto a patio with firepit and outdoor kitchen. The upper floor houses a roof deck with spa that adjoins the hallway and master bathroom. The child's loft bedroom facing the backyard has a woven rope ceiling that can be walked upon. The complete renovation included updating of all building systems, seismic upgrading, and incorporation of sustainable features.

Project Team

General Contractor: Aaron Gordon Construction

Structural Engineer: FTF Engineering

Interior Design: Nina Punzi Designs

Photographer: (c) Ed Ritger Photography

Arroyo Grande Farmhouse

New ResidenceArroyo Grande, California

AIA CCC 2016 Citation Award

Our clients asked us to design their retirement home in the rolling hills near California’s central coast. They desired a contemporary farmhouse relating to the vernacular agricultural buildings of the area, yet in a style that would locate indoor/outdoor living spaces primarily on one floor. Low-maintenance and fire-resistant materials, solar water heating and photovoltaics, trellises and sunshades, and plantings to control heat gain and loss contribute to a sustainable and healthy home.

Project Team

General Contractor: Turko Semmes, Semmes & Co. Builders, Inc.

Landscape Architect: Christopher Manning CM-Design

Structural Engineer: Craig A. Dobbs, P.E.

Civil Engineer: Erik J. Gobler, P.E.

Photographer: Elliott Johnson, Neil Donaldson

Eureka Valley Duplex

Residential RenovationSan Francisco, CA

Working with private developer Hartford Peak, Gast Architects revived this formerly stripped down and unloved Dolores Heights Victorian duplex by creating open and flowing interior spaces and a refreshed façade. We opened the upper unit’s top floor to create a spacious great room under a vaulted ceiling with skylights. The lowest level can function as a separate studio rental unit or an expansive family room for the main home. A car stacker in the garage provides two space-efficient parking spaces.

Project Team

General Contractor: Cullinane Construction & Hartford Peak

Structural Engineer: Santos & Urrutia Structural Engineers, Inc.

Photographer: Olga Soboleva of Vanguard Properties

Chalk Hill Residence

New ResidenceHealdsburg, California

A young family wanted to develop this seventeen acre parcel as their principal residence and a casual gathering place for extended family and friends. Central to their desires was easy flow to the lawn, pool, and gardens, capitalizing on views over the vineyards to the surrounding wooded hills. In addition to the main house, the property includes a pool, a pool cabana, and a separate small home that serves as a part-time residence for the owners’ parents. Sustainable features include photovoltaic panels, solar hot water and pool heating, radiant heating, and trellises and roof overhangs for sun control.

Project Team

General Contractor: RCI General Building Contractor

Landscape Architect: Andrea Cochran Landscape Architecture

Interior Designer: Deborah Michie, Amy DeVault

Photographer: John Sutton

English Gothic Residence

Residential Renovation & ExpansionSan Francisco, CA

This 1930's English Gothic residence opening to a large, rear yard court has been completely renovated and expanded to meet our clients' needs while respecting the historic language of the home. The garden-facing dining and living rooms feature floor-to-ceiling steel windows and doors, with exterior trellising for privacy and sun-control. New stairs surrounding a built-in hutch connect the remodeled kitchen and dining area with bedrooms above the dining room, and the garage and basement storage, wine cellar, and laundry below. Reorganized rooms and upgraded systems throughout the home bring it into the current day.

Project Team

General Contractor: Young & Burton, Inc.

Landscape Architect: Katsy Swan

Structural Engineer: Holmes Culley

Interior Designer: Owner

Photographer: Paul Dyer

Eichler Renovation

RenovationNorthern California

This 1964 Eichler house was purchased in original condition with vintage appliances, fixtures, and finishes. The new owners, who are lovers of mid-century modern design, wanted to create a calm, light-filled, inviting and fun-loving home. We worked with them to preserve the signature finishes of the house while creating a cook’s kitchen, opening up the floor plan, and updating the master suite.

Project Team

Contractor: Paris Construction Services

Photographer: Mariko Reed

Interior Designer: En Studio Design

Parnassus Heights Residence

Residential RenovationSan Francisco, CA

Our clients, a family of four, came to us to explore how to modify and expand a small, mostly original condition Shingle Style house they purchased for its location and views. They wanted to open rooms to the outside to take advantage of stunning views at all floors, maximize light, and give the home a modern vibe compatible with the original style of the house. The house was raised to allow easier access to the garage, provide greater privacy from the sidewalk, and create a high-ceilinged family room opening to landscaped terraces stepping down the site. A skylit stairwell brings light to the center of the home and connects all floors.

Project Team

General Contractor: Moroso Construction

Landscape Architect: The Garden Route

Structural Engineer: Strandberg Engineering

Interior Designer: Nina Srejovic

Photographer: Bruce Damonte

Cole Valley Residence

Residential RenovationSan Francisco, CA

The lower flat of this two-unit, Cole Valley building was renovated to meet the needs of a growing, young family. The flat was reconfigured, transforming the old sloping laundry porch into a third bedroom. Two small additions of less than 100 square feet total allowed for banquette-style seating in a new kitchen bay, and the expansion of the only bathroom to include a bathtub for the kids, double sinks and a private toilet compartment. The formal dining room was converted into a more useful family room open to the adjacent renovated kitchen. A large center work island helps shape this area into the central gathering space for play, conversation and every-day family life.

Project Team

General Contractor: F.R. James Construction

Structural Engineer: GFDS Engineers

Photographer: Paul Dyer

Napa Retreat

New ResidenceYountville, CA

This contemporary farmhouse was designed for a client that loves to cook and entertain in the open air. The plan maximizes mountain sunset, garden, and vineyard views from the outdoor cooking, dining, living, and pool areas. The building’s form and materials respond to simple vernacular farm buildings in the Napa region through the use of metal roofs and board & batten siding. The indoor/outdoor living spaces are comfortably organized along an axis that leads from the front porch through the house to the pool. A large kitchen with zinc countertops is complemented by a trellis-protected exterior food preparation area with free-standing fireplace.

Project Team

Photographer: Michael Hospelt Photography

(Hot Air Balloon photo courtesy of Stefani Phipps)

Ashbury Heights Residence

Residential RenovationSan Francisco, CA

With the goal of opening the second floor living area to the outdoors, we designed an inviting new roof deck above the client’s existing garage and connected it to the house with a short bridge. The bridge features a spiral stair that flows to the lower patio and a BBQ tucked just outside the back door. We brightened up the kitchen while creating ways for two young children to feel more engaged in cooking by locating dishes and the microwave below counter level. A calm, well-lit breakfast area with window seat has a magnetic wall nearby for displaying artwork. We also transformed the top floor sunroom into a cozy and playful reading room with views of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Project Team

General Contractor: Mueller Nicholls Builders

Interior Designer: Akemi Tamaribuchi

Structural Engineer: L. Wong Engineering

Photographer: Mariko Reed

Russian Hill Roof Deck

Residential RenovationSan Francisco, CA

The owners of the upper-most floor in a four-story residential building wanted to extend their living space by adding a roof deck for personal relaxation, family use and entertaining. The roof area needed to include seating, dining and cooking spaces, and a sauna integrated into the stair penthouse structure. The deck captures panoramic views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Coit Tower and beyond. A steel super-structure distributes the deck loads to the existing exterior walls avoiding structural work below. Features include durable stainless-steel cabinetry, engineered thin slate pavers, Ipe wood guards, glass wind-screens and integrated LED edge lighting for more serene nighttime enjoyment.

Project Team

General Contractor: Smithbilt

Structural Engineer: Double-D Engineering

Photographer: Paul Dyer

Buena Vista Residence

Residential RenovationSan Francisco, CA

This 1913 Italian Revival was in need of substantial changes to meet the needs of a growing family. The kitchen was expanded and renovated to include an eating area with uninterrupted views of the Bay. The master bathroom was renovated to capture the timeless essence of the home while incorporating modern amenities such as a private steam shower. The ground level of the home was completely reconfigured to accommodate a spacious entertainment room, laundry room, bathroom and guest bedrooms.

Project Team

General Contractor: DiJeau Poage Construction

Photographer: John Sutton

Presidio Heights Pueblo Revival

Residential RenovationSan Francisco, CA

This 1908 Pueblo Revival Style house was completely remodeled while preserving its significant historical features. The upper floors were renovated to create three bedroom suites, a master bedroom suite, new office, gym, and laundry. A new roof deck promotes outdoor activities and captures views of San Francisco Bay. The living and dining rooms were sensitively restored, and the grand central stair was enhanced with a wrought iron railing and new skylight to provide natural light throughout the center of the house. The kitchen was expanded to include a spacious family dining area that opens to the garden and patio.

Project Team

General Contractor: Matarozzi / Pelsinger Builders

Structural Engineer: Double-D Engineering

Landscape Architect: Shift Design Studio

Interior Designer: Patrice Cowan Bevans Interiors

Photographer: John Sutton

Twin Peaks Residence

Residential RenovationSan Francisco, California

This 1960’s house designed to celebrate its panoramic views needed a sense of entry, which we created using a subdued and elegantly detailed palette of glass, aluminum, stainless steel, ipe planks and tile. A glass-enclosed garage was created with a translucent windscreen that shields the hot tub space above. A gracious passage to the lower floor via a new skylit stair leads to a transformed entertaining space with a luxurious bathroom of tile, cast concrete and oak.

Project Team

Associate Architect: Craig Steely

General Contractor: D.V. Rasmussen & Son

Landscape Architect: Miller Company

Photographer: JD Peterson

Contemporary Edwardian Residence

Residential RenovationSan Francisco, CA

In the process of renovating this house for a multi-generational family, we restored the original Shingle Style façade with a flared lower edge that covers window bays and added a brick cladding to the lower story. On the interior, we introduced a continuous stairway that runs from the first to fourth floors. The stair surrounds a steel and glass elevator that is centered below a skylight and invites natural light down to each level. The home’s traditionally proportioned formal rooms flow naturally into more contemporary adjacent spaces that are unified through consistency of materials and trim details.

Project Team

General Contractor: Matarozzi/Pelsinger Builders Inc.

Landscape Architect: Arterra Landscape Architects

Structural Engineer: Strandberg Engineering

Interior Designer: Northbrook Design

Photographer: Aaron Leitz Photography

Pacific Heights Apartment

Residential Renovations

San Francisco, CA

We enjoyed the challenge of refreshing the living spaces in this 1920s apartment building for a busy family. The design creates openings between spaces as well as new spaces to accommodate the owners’ lifestyle: a study looking through the living room to the bay, the kitchen opening to a family room and dining nook, an additional guest bedroom, and an exercise space. Lighting, audio-visual, plumbing, mechanical and home automation systems were seamlessly incorporated into the rejuvenated home.

Project Team

General Contractor: D.V. Rasmussen & Son

Lighting Designer: Pritchard Peck Lighting

Photographer: Susan Fisher Plotner

Beaux Arts Residence

Residential RenovationSan Francisco, CA

Arthur Brown, Jr., famous for his design of S.F’s City Hall, Coit Tower, and the Opera House, designed this San Francisco Pacific Heights residence in the early 1900s. Our clients wanted to maintain its original character while modifying it to suit their lifestyle. Utility space in the basement was transformed into a guest suite, home theatre, laundry, wine cellar, and gallery corridor. An undeveloped attic was converted into a bedroom suite and office with a deck overlooking the rear yard. The yard was transformed into an oasis in the City with outdoor barbecue area, a canvas tented pavilion and extensive plantings. The kitchen / family room and master bedroom suite were reorganized and updated.

Project Team

General Contractor: CWG Construction

Structural Engineer: Double-D Engineering

Landscape Architect: Arterra LLP

Interior Design: George Spencer Designs, Sally Metcalfe

Photographer: John Sutton

Villa Sorriso

New ConstructionNapa County, California

An extraordinary property on the border between Napa and Sonoma Counties deserved an extraordinary home. Our clients wanted an estate designed for large scale entertaining as well as a retreat for the family. A new Mediterranean house is eased into the rolling landscape looking out over an infinity edge pool and a sculpture garden to the valley below. A movie theatre, vineyards, olive orchards, a garage, a barn, a tennis court, and a lake add to the enjoyment.

Project Team

General Contractor: Robert A. Nuss

Structural Engineer: Edson Howard

Landscape Architect: Lutsko Associates

Media Room Consultant: The Projection Room

Photographer: Sotheby’s International Realty

11th Street Studio

Interior Commercial RenovationSan Francisco, California

Gast Architects' new office sits on the top floor of an historic warehouse renovated to LEED Gold standards in the South of Market neighborhood. The open plan interior was designed with a focus on sustainable materials and ecologically friendly strategies. Features of the space are: strand Bamboo floors, low off-gassing (low VOC) materials for improved indoor air quality, operable skylights, Forest Stewardship Council-certified Richlite work surfaces and Europly panels and cabinets. Locally made, recycled aluminum-framed desks and shelving systems are modular, expandable, and aesthetically reinforce the feeling of an open, team-oriented studio.

Photographer: Matthew Millman

Dry Creek Valley Home

New Country HomeHealdsburg, CA

This new home is a casual family retreat from busy life in San Francisco and a place to frequently entertain friends and business associates. A main house, guest house, pool and cabana, barn and gardens in a vernacular Mediterranean idiom are carefully integrated into the hillside, promoting an easy connection to the outdoors, responding to the local climate, and capitalizing on spectacular valley views.